Peak Deer Period Along Kentucky Highways

This is the time of year when deer are likely to be crossing many Kentucky roadways. There are ways to reduce the risk of car versus deer collisions. Kentucky State Police report almost fifty percent of all vehicle collisions with deer occur between September and November. Last year, three of these crashes involved fatalities for vehicle occupants. Sargent Rick Saint-Blancard says don’t think a car or truck will be able to sustain a collision with a deer.

“If you’re moving at 50 miles an hour, that’s a 50 mile per hour impact plus the weight. I’ve seen deer go through windshields. I’ve seen them in the back of trucks. I’ve seen them go through two windshields in the back of trucks. I’ve seen them do quite a bit of damage,” said Saint-Blancard.

Saint-Blancard says it’s important for drivers to keep a wide view perspective.

"If you have a three or four lane highway, going one direction, then you’re able to control two things. One is your big picture and two is your speed. By getting the big picture, you are able to see both sides as you’re driving and again, scope it as far as possible,” added Saint-Blancard.

Deer tend to be most active in the early morning and evening hours when drivers’ vision is often less than ideal. Sargent Saint-Blancard says any type of distraction from cell phone use to loud music can only intensify the risk of an accident.